Improvement in clapboard-gauges



"PATENT QEErcE.

WILLIAM E. BABOOOK, OF EAST PEMBROKE, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLAPBOARD-GAUGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 116,256, dated June 27, 1871.

To all ywhom, it may concern: Y

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. BABcocK, of East Pembroke, in the county of Genesee and State of New York, have invented a Glapboard- Gauge and Bracket, of which the following is a speciication My invention relates to an implement to be used in adjusting, iitting, and put-ting on clap` boards and for other like purposes in building, and Ain place of what is commonly known as the gaugemail.v It consists 'of two principal parts, and is constructed of iron, steel, or other metal, and of any desirable size. The ylon ger part I term the bar 5 the smaller part I term the slide. Th parts properly joined form the clapboard-gauge and bracket.

A A is the bar. B B is the slide. C O are the parts joined, forming the gauge and bracket, At the upper end of b ar A is a piece, d, projecting at a right angle from the bar, at the end of which is a knob, c. At the lower part of the bar is a slot, s, of sufcient size and length to permit the slide, hereinafter described, to work. At the lower end of the bar and upon each side of the slot are a scale and notches, n n, arranged for securing the slide as it is raised or lowered. These notches are designated by numbers, and, in con-- nection with the slide, denote the 'number of inches and parts of inches the board is laid to the weather. The slide B has a shoulder at each en d,

a and o. The upper shoulder a is smooth, to slide against the bar; the lower one o is pivoted and arranged to iit into the notches in the bar. Upon each shoulder is a projection, threaded, and of sufficient length to pass through the slot in the bar to receive the thumb-nuts, which, when screwed down, will hold the slide at any desirable place on the bar. At the upper shoulder a is a blade,

J, of circular or other form, projecting in line slide, leaving the upper e'nd loose and oscillating to conform todiferent thickness of boards. The tool is slid upward, the blade J passing under or back of the last boardnailed on till the shoulder a touches its lower edge; then a turn of the up per screw fastens the tool iirmly tothe wall in the proper position. The board is then placed on the projecting piece d, and is held in position by the knob e, which also causes the bar to spring to conform to di'erent thickness of boards. The board is then scribed, fitted, and nailed on. A backward turn of the upper screw and a slight pressure downward disengage the tool, when it is slid upward and screwed fast to the wall as before. One gauge and bracket are used at each end of the board.

The advantages of this implement are in part as follows, viz.: First, it leaves the work uninjured, does not split the board, or leave any nailhole. Second, its accuracy in spacing; and it also furnishes a superior bracket to receive and properly hold the neXt board. Third, it saves time in changing from one board to another, no hammer or other tool being required to aid in the operation.

I claim as my invention- The combination of the bar A and the slide B, y

substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

Witnesses: WILLIAM E. BABCOCK.

LUcIUs B. PARMELE, ALANsoN SPENCER. 

